The Enduring Allure of Fireflies
By Dave Anderson

Often, tiny backyard mysteries may launch a lifetime of curiosity about the natural world. A summer evening campfire fades…. fueled by melted marshmallow-chocolate "S'mores," a gaggle of kids turns to capturing flickering fireflys in jelly jars. Adults smile and remember once doing the very same.

What is it about the childhood experience of catching fireflies that remains universal, timeless and priceless?

There are some 2,000 species of winged beetles in the family "Lampyridae" that we commonly call "fireflies" or "lightning bugs." Fireflies emit a chemically-produced pale green or yellow "cold light" from their lower abdomens. Their flashing serves different purposes with age. that the “glow-worms” contain chemicals that are distasteful or even poisonous to predators. Some species have larvae that burrow in sandy soil or live under tree bark for more than a year before getting their wings.

“Bio-luminescence” is a warning signal from juvenile firefly larvae to would-be predators.

Adult fireflies evolved to use light for mate selection. Adult males employ steady glowing or synchronous flashing patterns during aerial courtship displays to attract responses from females perched below who are potential mates.

Females of some predatory species evolved to mimic the mating flash patterns of other lightning bug species. Target males attracted to what appears to be a suitable mate are then eaten. These species are called "femme fatale” fireflies.

No matter the species, the enduring allure of flashing fireflies on summer nights is irresistible to children and adults…. But as with the fireflies themselves – perhaps for entirely different reasons!

Something Wild is a joint production of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, New Hampshire Audubon, and NHPR. For Something Wild, I’m Dave Anderson.